Modular greenhouse with method

ABSTRACT

A foldable panel combination for a modular greenhouse is described. The combination includes a first side panel, a second side panel, a first roof panel, and a second roof panel that are hingedly connected. The combination is transitionable between a collapsed state and an open state. In the collapsed state, the four panels are in a stacked configuration. In the open state, the panels form a sidewall-to-roof-to-roof-to-sidewall structure that can be connected with other panel combinations for linear expansion. Each panel comprises a rectangular frame and a cover for enclosing art open space in the middle of the frame.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not Applicable.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention may apply to modular prefabricated greenhouses andvarious methods of construction for same.

BACKGROUND

A greenhouse, generally a building in which plants may be grown, couldhave a noticeable characteristic of having one or more outer walls, aroof or both that generally allow light (e.g., solar radiation) to passfrom the outside environment through the said sides, roof or both and oninto the greenhouse interior (e.g., generally being transparent totranslucent). The passed-through solar radiation may then be generallyabsorbed by green house interior structures, plants or both. While theplants could absorb various solar radiation bands (e.g., visible light,etc.) to operate in a photosynthesis condition (vs in a respirationcondition in a lack of solar radiation/artificial light), the infraredband of solar radiation (i.e. heat) could be absorbed and then beradiated outward by greenhouse interior structures (convection heatingof the interior.) The heat so directed may be retained in the greenhouseinterior by the greenhouse roof and walls to produce a “hot house”effect to keep the plants suitably warm in a cold external environment.

With these capabilities greenhouses can be used for growing andsustaining various plant life such as flowers, vegetables, fruits,transplants and the like. Especially with increased of awareness in“going green” and having a more ecologically friendly and non-fossilfuel operating system and as well as increased awareness of providingnatural-based plant food substrates through hydronic and othergreenhouse-based growing means, there generally can be seen an increasedinterest in and usage of consumer or home gardening use greenhouses.These smaller (e.g., backyard) greenhouses may come in Do-It-Yourself(“DIY”) prefabricated assembly kits. These boxed or pallet-based kitsgenerally provide many if not all the basic parts for a consumer toassemble into a greenhouse in a step-by-step process. Many times, thesegreenhouse assembly kits may little or confusing instructions that maybe difficult for some consumers to follow. In addition, the actualgreenhouse assembly can be both complex and physically demandingrequiring a significant team support for assembly. These DIY greenhouseswhen assembled may lack sufficient structural stability such as havingframe and structural support may not withstand even low level wind orsnow loads. In addition, the present DIY greenhouse kits may furtherlack modular capability in that they lack the ability to have theircapacity to be extended from the initial assembled structure.

What could be need therefor could be modular greenhouse kits that can beeasily assembled by a consumer without significant team effort. Suchkits could comprise of prefabricated panels made from foldable sectionsthat could allow the panel to be folded upon itself. The folded panelscould be place flat upon one another in an unassembled conditionallowing those sections to be placed in a box. For greenhouse kitshaving a significant number of foldable panels, the greenhouse kit couldbe further secured to a pallet for transport and storage. The greenhousekits could further include thorough, easy-to-comprehend and followinstructions that could provide a step-by-step assembly that generallydoes not requiring a large team support to put together the greenhousekit. The foldable panels when unfolded could form whole or part walls,roof, ends and the like that could be locked together (e.g., withfasteners) to form an integrated and substantial greenhouse structurethat could withstand significant wind, seismic and snow loads as well asuphold to other environmental impact factors. The modularity of thegreenhouse kits could allow additional kits to be assembled that couldbe integrated into the original assembled greenhouse as needed ordesired to substantially increase the interior capacity of thegreenhouse as well as alter or otherwise enhance the greenhouse'sabilities, footprint or both.

In at least one embodiment, one of the greenhouse kits could have one ormore foldable panels be made from generally non-translucent or opaquematerial in addition to or in substation for the translucent sectionmaterial. Foldable panels made of non-translucent or opaque foldablepanels that could significantly alter, reduce, block or the alike thepassage of the solar radiation into one or more parts of the assembledgreenhouse's interior. In at least one embodiment, one or more sectionsforming a panel could be hinged together by adjacent edges to allow thepanel to fold upon itself. SUMMARY OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTIONAdvantages of One or More Embodiments of the Present Invention

The various embodiments of the present invention may, but do notnecessarily, achieve one or more of the following advantages:

the ability to provide a prefabricated and modular greenhouse in kitform at can be assemble by one person with minimum amount of help;

provide a prefabricated and modular greenhouse in kit comprising ofsections forming walls, ends and roof portions, one or more of thesections from a portion being foldable upon themselves to be placed incompact state;

the ability to add additional structural components to a prefabricatedand modular greenhouse to increase the overall square footage as well asto generally to enhance or otherwise alter the capacity of the assembledgreenhouse so enhanced;

provide sections hinged to one another to form a foldable section tocreate a wall, end or roof portion used in assembling a prefabricatedmodular greenhouse;

the ability to redesign a preassemble prefabricated and modulargreenhouse by adding foldable portions to the greenhouse to replaceexisting portions, add to existing portions or both;

provide foldable opaque portions can be subsequently replace or connectto one or more translucent portions of an assembled prefabricated andmodular greenhouse to alter the capability of the assembled greenhouse;

the ability to assembled foldable portions into a greenhouse by clippingthe portions to one and other;

provide a prefabricated and modular greenhouse kit in which foldableportions are removably clipped together to assemble the greenhouse andto subsequently disassemble, enhance or otherwise alter the originalarrangement of the assembled greenhouse; and

the ability to alter an assembled prefabricated and modular greenhouseto change various architectural details of the assembled greenhouse; and

provide an assembled prefabricated modular greenhouse comprising atleast a panel providing first characteristic that can be substituted fora panel lacking the first characteristic and providing instead a secondcharacteristic different from the first characteristic.

These and other advantages may be realized by reference to the remainingportions of the specification, claims, and abstract.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One possible embodiment of the invention could be a modular greenhousethat is prefabricated at a first site remote from a second site wherethe greenhouse is subsequently assembled, comprising a plurality ofsections, each section constructed from a framework, the frameworkfurther creating an open space within the framework, the open spacebeing enclosed by a cover attached to the framework; a first group ofsections from the plurality of sections forming at least one foldablepanel, the first group of sections being connected together in a mannerto allow the one foldable panel to fold upon itself into a compactstate; a second group of sections from the plurality of sections areconnected together to form at least one non-foldable panel; and the atleast one non-foldable panel and the one foldable panel being removablyconnected to form an assembled modular greenhouse and to allowadditional non-foldable panels, non-foldable panels or both to be addedto assembled modular greenhouse to subsequently change one or morearchitectural details of the assembled modular greenhouse.

Another possible embodiment of the invention could be a method ofassembling a prefabricated modular greenhouse comprising the followingsteps: providing prefabricated modular greenhouse comprising a pluralityof sections, each section constructed from a framework, the frameworkfurther creating an open space within the framework that is enclosed bya cover attaching to the framework; a first group of sections from theplurality of sections forming at least one foldable panel, the firstgroup of sections being connected together in a manner to allow the onefoldable panel to fold upon itself into a compact state; a second groupof sections from the plurality of sections are connected together toform at least one non-foldable panel; and the at least one non-foldablepanel and the one foldable panel can be removably connected to assemblethe greenhouse and to allow additional non-foldable panels, non-foldablepanels or both to be added to the assembled greenhouse to subsequentlychange one or more architectural details of the assembled greenhouse;unfolding the at least one foldable panel; and removably connecting theat least one foldable panel and the at least one non-foldable panel in amanner to form an assembled greenhouse.

The above description sets forth, rather broadly, at least one summaryof an embodiment of the present invention so that the detaileddescription that follows may be better understood and contributions ofthe present invention to the art may be better appreciated. Some of theembodiments of the present invention may not include all of the featuresor characteristics listed in the above summary. There are, of course,additional features of the invention that will be described below andwill form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, beforeexplaining at least one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail,it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of the construction and to the arrangement ofthe components set forth in the following description or as illustratedin the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and ofbeing practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are forthe purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to thefollowing drawings which are for illustrative, not limiting, purposes.

FIG. 1 substantially shows a perspective view of one possible embodimentof a basic modular greenhouse of the present invention with a door anddoor plug sections.

FIG. 1A substantially shows another perspective view of one possibleembodiment of a basic modular greenhouse (using one wall-roofcombination) of the present invention with a door and door plugsections.

FIG. 2 substantially shows a perspective view of one possible embodimentfor an elongated side wall (using two wall-roof combinations) modulargreenhouse.

FIG. 2A substantially shows another perspective view of one possibleembodiment for an elongated side wall (using two wall-roof combinations)modular greenhouse.

FIG. 3 substantially shows a perspective view of one possible embodimentfor an elongated side wall (using two wall-roof combinations) modulargreenhouse with a door and door plug sections.

FIG. 4 substantially shows a perspective view of one possible embodimentfor an elongated side wall (using three wall-roof combinations) modulargreenhouse with a roof dormer architectural detail.

FIG. 5 substantially shows a perspective view of one possible embodimentfor an elongated side wall (using three wall-roof combinations) modulargreenhouse with some covers being opaque.

FIG. 6 substantially shows a perspective view of one possible embodimentfor a modular greenhouse with a roof dormer architectural detail.

FIG. 7 substantially shows another perspective view of one possibleembodiment for a modular greenhouse with a roof dormer architecturaldetail.

FIG. 8 substantially shows a perspective view of one possible embodimentfor a modular greenhouse with a roof dormer architectural detail havinga single wall-roof combination expansion.

FIG. 9 substantially shows a perspective view of one possible embodimentfor a modular greenhouse with a roof dormer architectural detail havinga single wall-roof combination expansion whose covers are opaque.

FIG. 10 substantially shows a perspective view of one possibleembodiment for a modular greenhouse with a roof dormer architecturaldetail having a dual wall-roof combination expansion.

FIG. 11 substantially shows a perspective view of one possibleembodiment for a modular greenhouse with a roof dormer architecturaldetail having a dual wall-roof combination expansion whose covers areopaque.

FIG. 12 substantially shows a perspective view of an end wall section.

FIG. 13 substantially shows a perspective view of a side wall section.

FIG. 14 substantially shows an elevation view of roof section.

FIG. 15 substantially shows an elevation view of roof dormer section.

FIG. 16 substantially shows a perspective cutaway view of a coverattached to a framework.

FIG. 17 substantially shows an elevation view of a first section tosection attachment.

FIG. 18 substantially shows an elevation view of a second section tosection attachment.

FIG. 19 substantially shows a side elevation view of hinge used forconnecting two foldable panels together.

FIG. 20 substantially shows an end elevation close-up view of a hingedno foldable panel pair moving between an open operating state to aclosed flat compacted storage state.

FIG. 21 substantially shows an end elevation view of a hingedsidewall-to-roof-to-roof-to-sidewall foldable panel combination movingfrom closed flat compacted storage state to an initial open operatingstate.

FIG. 22 substantially shows an end elevation view of asidewall-to-roof-to-roof-to-sidewall foldable panel combination movingthe sidewall panels from closed flat compacted storage state against theroof panels towards the open operating state.

FIG. 23 substantially shows an end elevation view asidewall-to-roof-to-roof-to-sidewall foldable panel combination as movedinto the open operating state.

FIG. 24 substantially shows a perspective view of a sidewall to rooffoldable panel pairing.

FIG. 25 substantially shows a top view of a hingedsidewall-to-roof-to-roof-to-sidewall foldable panel combination unfoldedflat.

FIG. 26 substantially shows a top view of a hingedsidewall-to-roof-to-roof-to-sidewall foldable panel combination foldedflat in a compact state.

FIG. 27 substantially shows a side cutaway view of a hingedsidewall-to-roof-to-roof-to-sidewall foldable panel combination foldedflat in a compact state within a box container.

FIG. 28 substantially shows a perspective view of a dormer roof foldablepanel combination folded open for use.

FIG. 29 substantially shows a perspective view of a dormer roof foldablepanel combination folded flat in compact state.

FIG. 30 substantially shows an elevation view of front end wallnon-foldable panel.

FIG. 31 substantially shows an elevation view of back end wallnon-foldable panel.

FIG. 32 substantially shows a perspective view of one end section forwall non-foldable panel.

FIG. 33 substantially shows a perspective view of truss brace sectionfor wall non-foldable panel.

FIG. 34 substantially shows a perspective view of another end sectionfor wall non-foldable panel.

FIG. 35 substantially shows an elevation view of the truss brace sectionbeing attached to another portion of the modular greenhouse.

FIG. 36 substantially shows an elevation view of the end section beingattached to another portion of the modular greenhouse.

FIG. 37 substantially shows an assembled back end wall non-foldablepanel being attached to a sidewall-to-roof-to-roof-to sidewall foldablepanel combination.

FIG. 38 substantially shows an assembled front end wall non-foldablepanel being attached to a sidewall-to-roof-to-roof-to sidewall foldablepanel combination.

FIG. 39 is substantially showing an assembled modular greenhouse locatedupon a footing.

FIG. 40 substantially shows could be a schematic drawing for showing thesteps of a method for assembling a prefabricated modular greenhouse.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part ofthis application. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specificembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

As substantially shown in FIGS. 1-11, one possible embodiment of theinvention 10 could be a modular greenhouse 20 that is prefabricated atone site (not shown) in a kit form that could be subsequentlytransported to and assembled at a second site 12 that is remote from thefirst site (not shown.) The modular prefabricated greenhouse 20 could begenerally be designed and made to have sufficient structural integrityto withstand specific lateral loads and axial loads that may be imposedfrom environmental factors such as wind, snow, and seismic exposure tosuitably meet the necessary local building codes at or below 6000 feetelevation and could be extendable to various lengths and shapes byremovably connecting several panels (folding and non-folding) togetherto form side walls, front and back end walls and roof of the modulargreenhouse 20. In one possible embodiment, the prefabricated modulargreenhouse 20 could comprise a front end wall panel 22 (e.g., furtheraccommodating a door 24 within a doorway), a back end wall panel 28(e.g., further accommodating a door plug 30 within a doorway), a sidewall panel and roof panel combination, a door assemblies andcorresponding connecting hardware. In other embodiments, the modulargreenhouse kits could be configured to provide add-on assemblies (ratherthan a complete modular greenhouse) that can be assembled and added tooriginal parts of the assembled modular greenhouse 20; otherwise replaceoriginal parts of the assembled modular greenhouse 20 or both.

As substantially shown in FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 15, 15A sections 36 could becombined to form the foldable panels 38 and non-foldable panels 40. Eachsection 36 could comprise a tubing framework 42 denoting or forming anopen space 44 that could be substantially enclosed by a cover 46attached to the section framework 42. The cover 46, affixed to theframework 42 by suitable means such as fasteners, could be polycarbonatetwin wall sheet 48 about 6 millimeters thick. The sheet as a laminatecould further incorporate a UV resin film 50 for additional protectionagainst the sun.

The section framework 42 in one possible embodiment generally berectangular in shape (e.g., 2 feet by 4 feet) and could be formed fromthe circular or square tubing 52 (e.g., made from metal, alloy,composite or the like.) Other panels, such an end wall non-foldablepanel 22, 28 or a roof dormer foldable panel 54 could further requiretriangular shaped sections 56. As substantially shown in FIGS. 16 and17, the sections 36 could be fastened together at respective adjacenttubing edges to form folding panels 38 and non-folding panels 40.

The tubing 52 for the section framework 42 should be made strong enoughat a minimum to support the weight of the assembled greenhouse. Thetubing 52 for standard size prefabricated modular greenhouses 20 couldbe 1-2 inch width tubing while larger sized greenhouses many need widerwidth tubing, such as 2.5 inch or 3 inch width tubing. Similarly,smaller prefabricated modular greenhouses 20 may only need tubing of 1inch width. The framework 42 if manufactured from metal can be furthercoated with a powder coating enamel that will last for 10 years or moreto generally provide some protection against oxidation/rust. Theprefabricated holes may be drilled and machined into the framework toensure exact and precise alignment with the connecting hardware toconnect various section together to form a respective panel. Fastenerssuch as removable clips (not shown) could be employed to provide someremovable bale panel-to-panel connections.

As substantially shown in FIGS. 19-23, the foldable panels 38 can beremovably and movably connected together to form foldable panel pairs 58or combinations 60. In one embodiment, this connection of foldablepanels could be a hinged connection such as a piano hinge 62. The pianohinge 62 comprising a rod or wire 64 movably holding the two hinge sides66 movably together may be removed to allow separation of the panels atthe two hinge sides 66. When the wire 64 s removed, one hinged edge ofone foldable panel 38 could be disengaged with another hinged edge ofother foldable panel 38 to take apart a foldable panel pair orcombination (e.g., a wall-roof foldable panel pair). This could allow asubstitution of different folding panels 38 within the folding panelcombination or pair. Upon substitution the rod or wire 64 could beinserted to respective the hinge sides 66 to connect two folding panels38 together. Similarly a set of sidewall-to-roof foldable panel pairs 58can be hingedly connected together to create a wall-roof foldable panelcombination 60.

As substantially shown in FIG. 24, the sidewall panel 32 could be usedon either the right and left side of the modular greenhouse 20. Thesidewall section 68 could comprise a rectangular framework 42 ofparallel oriented vertical tubing and horizontal tubing as welded,bonded or formed together. In one version, a strengthening cross-bracecould be added to reinforce the framework 42 by connecting the section'shorizontal tubing pair together at respective middles. Two sidewallsections 68 could be connected together side-by-side (e.g., byfasteners) to form a sidewall foldable panel 32.

The roof panels sections 70 could be similarly constructed with arectangular framework 42 with parallel oriented vertical tubing andhorizontal tubing that are suitably welded, bonded or formed together toform the open space 44 enclosed by cover 46 attached to the framework42. In one version a strengthening cross-brace could be added toreinforce the section framework by connecting the horizontal tubingpairs together at respective middles. Two roof sections 70 could beconnected together side-by-side to form a roof foldable panel 34.

In one possible embodiment, one sidewall foldable panel 32 and one rooffoldable panel 34 (forming a wall-roof panel combination) can behingedly connected together (e.g., by piano hinge) to form a wall panelto roof panel pairing (as substantially shown in FIG. 24.) A hingedconnection at adjacent edges (e.g., vertical tubings) could allow thewall panel to have an angled relationship to the roof foldable panel 34when being used to form a portion of the modular greenhouse 20 and toallow sidewall foldable panel 32 to be fold against roof foldable panel32 for stacked compact storage. Two side wall-roof panel pairings 58could hingedly connected together at a roof panel-to-roof panel adjacentedges (e.g., adjacent roof vertical tubings) to form asidewall-to-roof-to-roof-to-sidewall foldable panel combination 60 thatcould form a basic wall roof building unit for the invention 10. In thismanner, the four foldable panels of the pair combination 60 could foldupon one panel upon another to put the combination 60 in a collapsedstacked state (as substantially shown in FIGS. 20-23; 25-27) forplacement in a box container 16. One or more pair combinations 60 couldconnected together (e.g., side-by-side in a tandem orientation) could bethen ended by rear and front end wall panels to substantially to form abasic greenhouse structure (as substantially shown in FIGS. 1, 1A and2.)

As substantially shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, another embodiment of theroof panel 34 could be a dormer roof foldable panel 54 comprising offour triangularly-shaped dormer sections 56 hingedly connected togetherwherein the middle two dormer triangular sections 56 could fold to formthe dormer while the each triangle section 56 outlying the dormerextends outward to form the dormer roof panels. The four hingedtriangular sections 56 can be folded up against each other into astacked collapsed state. When the dormer roof foldable panel 54 isintegrated into the roof (e.g., generally replacing non-dormer roofpanels of a sidewall-roof foldable panel combination via removal of thewire of piano hinges-not shown), the dormer roof foldable panel 54 asattached can accept truss brace section 72 of an end wall non-foldableend wall panel 22, 28 (as substantially shown in FIGS. 6 and 7) orotherwise allow an expansion of the modular greenhouse 20 to form aT-shaped modular greenhouse (as substantially shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 10and 11.)

As substantially shown in FIGS. 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 27 and 28,the non-foldable end walls panels, namely front end wall and a back endwall non-foldable panels 22, 28, could each frame out a doorway 26. Theback end wall non-foldable panel 28 could have its doorway 26 sealed orenclosed by a non-openable door plug 30 while the front end wallnon-foldable panel 22 could have a door 24 (e.g., split or Dutch door)movably attached to the respective formed doorway 26 to provide egressin and out of the assembled modular greenhouse 20. Each end wallnon-foldable panel 22, 28 could be formed by a door 24 or door plug 30along with three end wall sections connected to adjacent portions of themodular greenhouse 20 (e.g., side ends of the sidewall-roofcombination.) Each end wall section could be formed a framework (tubing)that generally denotes an open space 44 generally enclosed by a suitablecover 46. These end wall sections could include a truss brace section 72and two side sections 74 (one form could be used for both left and rightside sections) oriented to accommodate the formed gable roof of themodular greenhouse 20 and to otherwise form the doorway 26. The trussbrace section 72 could be at the top portion of the roof dormer abovethe two side sections 74 and form the top of the doorway 26. The two endsections 74 could be positioned at the sides of the non-foldable endwall panel 22, 28 to form the doorframe sides. For the front end wallnon-foldable panel, a piano hinge (not shown) may be used to movablyattach the door 24 to one of the two side sections 74. For the back endwall non-foldable panel 28, fasteners could secure the door plug 30 toall three end wall sections. In one manner of assemble, the truss bracesection 72 and end sections 74 could be attached one at a time to theside ends of the sidewall-roof combination. The door 24 or door plug 30could then be attached to the back end wall non-foldable panel 28 withinthe doorway 26 to complete the end wall non-foldable panel 22, 28. Inanother manner, the door 24/door plug 30, truss brace section 74, twoside sections 74 could be assembled together on the ground to form theend wall non-foldable panel 22, 28 which could then be lifted andattached to the remainder of the modular greenhouse 20.

The back end wall foldable panel 28 (and other panels as well) couldfurther comprise suitable bracing (not shown) as needed to providefurther structural stability to the modular greenhouse. Such structuralstability may be desired to enable the assemble modular greenhouse towithstand wear as caused by the elements; withstand wear as caused byaxial and lateral loads during the transportation of the modulargreenhouse 20 and to enable the customer to change the location of thegreenhouse by sliding or lifting the modular greenhouse 20 to a newlocation.

The modular greenhouse 20 may further provide suitable means forventilation (not shown.) In one embodiment, a portion of the cover ofthe foldable roof panel may unfastened from the respective the sectionframework and warped to create a ventilation opening form the outsideenvironment directly into the modular greenhouse formed interior.Alternatively, a portion of the cover of the foldable sidewall panel mayunfastened from the respective section framework and warped to create aventilation opening form the outside environment directly into themodular greenhouse formed interior.

In yet another possible embodiment, exhaust fans (not shown) or exhaustvents (not shown) may be installed in one or more end wall nonfadingpanels (e.g., penetrating the truss brace section) of the assembledmodular greenhouse. The exhaust fans and/or exhaust vents may also beinstalled on the sidewalls or roof folding panels. The activation ofsuch exhaust fans may enables the flow of fresh air into the greenhouseand exhausts excessive heated inside air to the outside environment togenerally control indoor temperatures.

The extendable greenhouse may include a portion of the roof that couldbe warped to substantially form an opening for ventilation. If the roofconsists of multiple plastic sheets, then one of those plastic sheetsmay be unfastened and opened (inward or outward) for ventilation. Thegreenhouse may also include an exhaust fan installed on the back wall,or an exhaust vent installed on the front wall, with activation of theexhaust fan configured to ventilate the greenhouse.

At the greenhouse assembly site, the assembled modular greenhouse may beanchored in various ways (not show). In one embodiment, anchoring themodular greenhouse includes fastening one or more anchor augers (notshown) to the section framework located at the base of the modulargreenhouse and driving the one or more anchor augers into the ground.The greenhouse may also be anchored by fitting rebar (not shown) throughone or more holes formed within the base of the greenhouse and drivingthe rebar into the ground.

In using anchor augers (not shown) to secure the greenhouse, the anchoraugers may be about 4 inches wide and about 36 inches deep with eachanchor auger having the capacity to holding about 100 pounds. Theseanchor augers may be screwed into the ground or driven into the groundusing various driving methods. The anchor augers may then be fastened torespective angle iron bases connected to respective section frameworksto secure the greenhouse to the ground, foundation or both. Differentlysized anchor augers may be used depending on the type of soil andexpected weather patterns at the delivery destination.

In using rebar to secure the greenhouse, the rebar (i.e., a reinforcedbar) could be that steel bar as used as a tensioning device inreinforced concrete and reinforced masonry structures holding thesecured material in compression. For securing the present inventionrebar can be inserted through the holes of the angle iron base and thenbe driven into the ground proximate the greenhouse. The rebar can beinserted straight or at an angle. The rebars may also be screwed intothe ground; hammered into the ground or driven into the ground usingvarious securing methods. If necessary, additional holes may be formedon the angle iron base specifically for the rebars. In one possibleembodiment, 4 foot rebar may be driven into the ground through suitableangle iron bases (e.g., as attached to respective a section framework).Alternative embodiments may use rebars of different lengths and widths,in addition to different numbers and arrangements of rebars around theangle iron base.

As substantially shown in FIG. 39, the modular greenhouse 20 may also beanchored by constructing a footing 76 at the assembly site 12 andpositioning (e.g., and securing) the assembled modular greenhouse 20onto the prepared footing 76. The footing 76 (e.g., cement, concrete,wood, etc.) for the modular greenhouse 20 may be constructed and theassembled modular greenhouse 20 could be applied and secured to thefooting 76. The initial greenhouse kit, as an illustration, could use afooting 76 that is about 12 feet long and 8 feet wide may be used.Alternative dimensions for the footing 76 or the foundation may beconstructed as needed depending on the dimensions and weight of thegreenhouse; changes made to an assembled greenhouse as well as the soilconditions and expected weather patterns at the delivery destination.

As substantially shown in FIG. 40, an embodiment of the invention 10could be a process or method 200 for assembling a prefabricated modulargreenhouse. The first step 202 could be the fabrication of theprefabricated modular greenhouse kit. This fabrication could includepreparation of foldable panels and non-foldable panels made fromsections comprising of frameworks to which are cover which generallycover open spaces formed by the section framework. Covers could betranslucent plastic sheets, opaque plastic sheets, non-plastic nontranslucent covers (e.g., corrugated metal sheets.) Foldable panels asutilized in a particular kit can be respectively folded upon themselvesinto a compact state to allow sections of non-foldable panels to bestacked (e.g., horizontally) together. Non-folding panel sections canthen be stacked upon the stacked folded non-folding panels. Hardware(panel connecting, section connecting, anchoring, etc.) could be baggedalong with assembly instructions and placed upon the stacked panels andsections. The stacked assembly can then loaded in to a box container,which as needed, can be further secured to a pallet to facilitatetransport and storage of the kit. In other versions, the greenhouse kitcould be placed in several box containers that could be stack upon andbe attached to the pallet.

It should be noted that a variety of different greenhouse kits could beassembled using different number and types of components to providedifferent sizes of greenhouses with differing architectural elements. Inaddition, the greenhouse kits could be assembled to be add-on greenhousekits that generally do not provide a modular greenhouse per se butrather are used to add additional or different architectural details orincrease the capacity or footprint of an assembled modular greenhouse.Once this step is substantially completed, the method could proceed tostep 204, assembly of the modular greenhouse.

In step 204, assembly of the modular greenhouse, the desired greenhousekit(s) could be delivered to the modular greenhouse assembly orconstruction site (e.g., delivery location.) The construction site couldbe plain ground or could be enhanced a suitable footing or foundation.At the delivery destination, the greenhouse kit(s) may be unloaded oftheir contents and the contents being suitably arranged to allow forease of assembly and allow for reading of the provided assemblyinstructions. The foldable panels can be unfold and placed aside whilenon-foldable panels, depending on the embodiment (or operator desire),could be constructed from their respective sections (and door or doorplug assemblies.)

At this time, depending on the particular kit, a firstsidewall-to-roof-to-roof-to sidewall non-foldable panel combinationcould be lifted up and oriented into its proper form for modulargreenhouse assembly. As that first combination is generally held inplace, the appropriate wall non-foldable panel (if previously assembled)can lifted up and be removably attached to side end of the combinationby appropriate means (e.g., clips or the like) This could provide aninitial stable structure so allow easier attachment of second properlyoriented combination to be secured to the unattached side end of thefirst combination. A third combination could be attached to theunattached side end of the second combination. This attachment processbeing repeated until the desired length of the modular greenhouseachieved. The front end wall non-foldable panel (e.g., with door) canthen be removably attached to the last fitted combination to generallycomplete the initial modular green house. During or after initialassembly, the greenhouse could be positioned upon, secured to or both, afooting or a foundation if so previously constructed.

Alternatively, the assembled modular greenhouse can be placed directlyon the ground without a solid base to be used for ground planting when asolid base is not provided for floor of the greenhouse (e.g., the flooris generally a dirt floor rather than a construction material floor.)The greenhouse may also enable raised bed planting without having to useplanter boxes, even though the use of planter boxes is also possible ifdesired. As this step is completed, the method could proceed to step206, alteration of the modular greenhouse.

In step 206, alteration of the modular greenhouse, additional modulargreenhouse kits could be obtained that provide additional modulargreenhouse panels, pairs or combinations that can be used to change theoriginal configuration of the modular greenhouse as assembled. One ormore kit supplied additional sidewall-to-roof-to-roof-to sidewallnon-foldable panel combinations can be added to increase the length ofthe assembled modular greenhouse or can be used with a roof dormer tocreate a room off the main portion of the modular greenhouse.

A roof dormer kit can be used to replace two sets of sidewall-roof pairsof two combinations (removing wires from connecting roof panel-to-roofpanel piano hinges and relevant fasteners) to create an opening on aformed side wall to allow and attachment of an end wall non-foldablepanel to the side wall. Alternatively a set of additionalsidewall-to-roof-to-roof-to sidewall non foldable panel combinations canbe assembled together and be connected to the opening created by theroof dormer to form a new section of the assembled modular greenhouse.An additional end wall non-foldable panel could be used to seal the newsections. These additional panel kits can be used to increase the sizeof; alter or add architectural details (e.g., add a roof dormer) to; orotherwise modify the assembled modular greenhouse.

CONCLUSION

Although the description above contains many specifications, theseshould not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but asmerely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferredembodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of the invention shouldbe determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents ratherthan by the examples given.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A foldable panel combination for a modulargreenhouse, transitionable between a collapsed state and an open state,comprising: a first side panel hingedly connected with a first roofpanel at a first hinge, a second side panel hingedly connected with asecond roof panel at a second hinge; a third hinge that hingedlyconnects the first roof panel to the second roof panel; wherein thethird hinge is disposed along an edge of the first roof panel and secondroof panel; wherein the third hinge comprises a first hinge side movablyconnected with a second hinge side, and the first and second hinge sideseach have an obtuse angle and an acute angle; wherein the first sidepanel, second side panel, first roof panel, and second roof panel eachcomprise a tubing framework forming an open space, and a cover attachedto the tubing framework and disposed to cover the open space; wherein,in the collapsed state, the first side panel, second side panel, firstroof panel, and second roof panel are stacked; and wherein, in the openstate, the first, second, and third hinges are opened.
 2. The foldablepanel combination of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a sheet madeof plastic or polycarbonate.
 3. The foldable panel combination of claim2, wherein the sheet is translucent.
 4. The foldable panel combinationof claim 1, wherein the tubing framework is made of metal.
 5. Thefoldable panel combination of claim 1, wherein the tubing framework hasa circular or rectangular cross-section.
 6. The foldable panelcombination of claim 1, wherein the first and second side panels haveone or more holes for fastening with an adjacent foldable panelcombination.
 7. The foldable panel combination of claim 1, wherein thetubing framework comprises a strengthening cross brace that extendsacross opposing sides of the tubing framework.
 8. The foldable panelcombination of claim 1, wherein the first hinge side and the secondhinge side are movably coupled by a rod.
 9. The foldable panelcombination of claim 8, wherein the rod is removable from the first andsecond hinge sides.
 10. The modular greenhouse of claim 1, wherein theobtuse angle is proximal to an axis of rotation and the acute angle isdistal to the axis of rotation.
 11. The modular greenhouse of claim 10,wherein, in the open state, the obtuse angle faces outward relative tothe axis of rotation and the acute angle faces inward relative to theaxis of rotation.
 12. A modular greenhouse comprising a plurality offoldable panel combinations, comprising: first and second foldable panelcombinations each comprising: a first side panel hingedly connected witha first roof panel at a first hinge, a second side panel hingedlyconnected with a second roof panel at a second hinge; a third hingedisposed along an edge of the first roof panel and second roof panel,wherein the third hinge hingedly connects the first roof panel to thesecond roof panel; wherein the third hinge comprises a first hinge sidemovably connected with a second hinge side, and the first and secondhinge sides each have a obtuse angle and an approximately 90 degreeangle; wherein the first side panel, second side panel, first roofpanel, and second roof panel each comprise a tubing framework forming anopen space attached with a cover that is disposed to cover the openspace; and a fastener for connecting a tubing framework of the firstfoldable panel combination with a tubing framework of the secondfoldable panel combination.
 13. The modular greenhouse of claim 12,wherein the fastener comprises a clip.
 14. The modular greenhouse ofclaim 12, wherein the fastener comprises a first hole in the tubingframework of the first foldable panel combination, a second hole in thetubing framework of the second foldable panel combination, and a boltsized and dimensioned to fit in the first and second holes.
 15. Themodular greenhouse of claim 12, wherein the tubing framework forms arectangle or a square.
 16. The modular greenhouse of claim 15, whereinthe tubing framework is made of a metal.
 17. The modular greenhouse ofclaim 16, wherein the cover is made of plastic or polycarbonate.
 18. Themodular greenhouse of claim 17, wherein the cover is translucent. 19.The modular greenhouse of claim 12, wherein the cover is attached to anoutside surface of the tubing framework.